The Times and Democrat from Orangeburg, South Carolina • 9

Noplace like home Jason Kidd felt his family was 'in jeopard in Boston. 4B INSIDE Editorial: 6B Markets: 5B Lotteries: 8B Weather 8B NFL's Oglesby to host local kicking camp in Orangeburg WEDNESDAY, MAY 292002 SECTION SPORTS Lewis fight could be Tyson's last big payday i' 1 fir By TIM DAHLBERC AP Boxing Writer In the New York office of Mike Tyson's manager, a clock slowly ticks away, counting down the seconds until 1 1 p.m. CDT on June 8. At that moment, Tyson should step into a ring in Mem-' phis, to fight Lennox Lewis. There's an identical clock in the office of Showtime executive Jay Larkin, ticking toward the same hour.

The countdown is relentless, but it never seems to go fast enough. When you're counting on Tyson, it never does, "We're nervous. We're very, very nervous," Larkin said. "And the closer you get the more nervous you get It's a long walk down the aisle." It's especially long when you're walking with Tyson, who in the last few months alone had to dodge two rape allegations and a strip-club fight to keep from blowing what could be his last big payday. That doesn't even count the New York news conference in January when Tyson bit Lewis, then stood on stage, grabbed his crotch, and delivered a pornographic tirade at an audience member who dared question his stability.

Just when all seemed safe and the former heavyweight champion was sequestered in Maui, he shattered the peaceful quiet by telling a female TV reporter he usually has sex with women who interview him. He told other reporters he would like to "stomp" on their children's testicles "so you could feel my pain because that's the pain I have waking up every day." It's no wonder that, less than two weeks before one of the biggest fights in history, promoters are holding their breath. They know better than anyone that AP By THOMAS GRANT JR. Senior Sports Writer Establishing a place in the NFL archives this past season as only the third regular black place-kicker in league history when the Arizona Cardinals signed him last December was not enough for South Carolina State graduate Cedric Oglesby. Now, the Bulldog record-holder for longest field goal made (52 yards) and most made in a season (11) wants to insure more up-and-coming black place-kickers, as well as anyone 10 years or older who also aspire to kick a football, are prepared to earn a future opportunity.

The Cedric Oglesby Kicking Academy will hold a two-day clinic in Orangeburg June 21-22 on the S.C. State University campus. Using the fundamental teachings learned from his days as a staff member of the Ray Guy Kicking Academy, co- founded by the former Oakland Raider All-Pro considered by many as the best punter in NFL history, Oglesby hopes to increase interest among young campers in kicking, punting and snapping. The Atlanta, Ga. native, who went 5-6 in field goals during a five-game stint with the Arizona Cardinals during the 2001 regular season, also wants to stem the tide he's seen in the high school and college of relying more on two-point conversions and using lineman and linebackers to kick field goals.

"Basically, I wanted to give more education on how to kick and also, to get more African-Americans interested in kicking," said Oglesby, currently a free agent awaiting a NFL deal. Other benefits of the camp include: Teaching effective technique and fundamental skills for kicking, punting and snapping. Provides an opportunity for campers to produce their own training video and using it for analyzing their own kicking skills. Learning how to kick under pressure. Receiving a personal evaluation to continue post-camp development.

Perhaps the biggest bonus for campers is having an opportunity to observe and receive a personal evaluation from current NFL black kickers like punter Rodney Williams of the New York Giants and Danny Kight of the Baltimore Ravens and Jason Baker of the San Francisco 49ers. All three are expected to make appearances at the camp. Ironically, Kight, Williams and Oglesby all attended Southwest Dekalb High School in Decatur, Ga. Prior to Oglesby 's NFL stint, the last black kickers used in professional football were Herbert Charles Travenio, who played for the AFL's San Diego Chargers in 1964 and 1965, and former Clemson Tiger Donald Igwe-buike for the Minnesota Vikings in 1990. The cost of the Oglesby Kicking Academy is $195 for commuters and $225 for those campers to reside overnight at one of the SCSU dormitories.

Those interested can register by either sending the entire fee or a $70 deposit to the following address: The Cedric Oglesby Kicking Academy, P.O. Box 427, Pine 30072-9998. Applications are available by See OGLESBY, 2B hit opponents over the head. "It's everything thaf wrong about the sport and society," longtime promoter Bob Arum said. "He's had a catastrophic effect on boxing." Arum's view might be clouded by the fact he has no stake in this fight, which could surpass Tyson's second fight with Evander Holyfield as the richest ever.

People who do have an interest get richer every time Tyson opens his mouth. All 19,000 tickets were scooped up in just days, though the public got its chance at just a few. With ringside seats selling for $2,400, the fight at the Pyramid Arena will generate a gross of some $23 million, the biggest gate for any are-See TYSON, 4B until Tyson actually appears in the ring, nothing is a safe bet. Even then, it's a crapshoot. "This guy is an idiot.

He has no Lewis said. That, of course, is precisely why Lewis stands to make some $25 million or so for defending his heavyweight titles against Tyson in a city so desperate for recognition that it took a fight most others shunned. Tyson is shocking and vulgar. He's also the biggest attraction in the sport, which might say more about the state of boxing than his ability. When Tyson is involved, it's more World Wrestling than boxing.

The only things missing are the folding chairs to MIKE ROSIER SPORTS WRITER Clemson, USC have excellent opportunity nr. eaving behind past failures I and shortcomings in the I collegiate baseball playoffs, 1 ithe 2002 edition should feature not one but two teams from the Palmetto State. Both the Clemson Tigers -ranked 5th in the final regular-season poll from Baseball America and the South Carolina Gamecocks ranked 4th in the same poll have again enjoyed stellar seasons that have each squad poised for a serious run to Omaha and a possible national championship. USC and the Clemson will host Regional tournaments starting on Friday, with the realistic possibility of hosting Super-Re-gionals to follow, should things go their way. However, both teams lost just a bit of the luster off their respective regular season campaigns in the last couple of weeks.

The Tigers (47-14) were swept by a blazing hot Florida State team in a three-game man-handling at Clemson for the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship. A bitter pill for the Tigers to swallow after dominating league play the entire season. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks (48-14) found themselves in the loser's bracket of the Southeastern Conference tournament early after a loss to LSU, and despite rallying to make the SEC title game, Jooked rather lethargic in falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide 6-2 -oh national television on Sunday. What was the deal with Chris Hernandez starting the championship game? It was Hernandez' first career start, and he got hammered early and often. But the blame doesn't entirely rest with Hernandez, as the Gamecock batting order was stymied by a guy that pitched 18 innings in two days.

Perhaps the team was tired after coming through the loser's bracket, but it was, after all, the SEC tournament championship game. I'm sorry if I expected Ray Tanner's boys to make a better show of it than that. In Tanner's defense, freshman Aaron Rawl from Lexington another pitcher without a career start before said game had been fabulous the night before against LSU. Maybe Tanner figured he'd get a similar performance from Hernandez, but wasn't it obvious in the very first inning that the young man didn't show his best stuff? Who knows, Tanner is the manager an excellent one, by the way so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Clemson and head coach Jack leggett are probably glad to get as Jar away from the Seminoles as possible, as the Tigers host East Carolina (41-18-1), Georgia Southern (38-23) and Elon (33-49) in their NCAA Regional tournament.

The Tigers (47-14) Should have no problem with any of these teams, but the Phoenix (Elon) did beat Clemson 8-6 on May 9 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium and also own wins over 8th-ranked Wake Forest and East Carolina. USC fans will be happy to hear that Baseball America has named their Columbia Regional tournament to be one of the toughest in the NCAA tournament with James Madison (43-14), Virginia Commonwealth (38-24) and 18th-ranked North Carolina (40-19) coming to town. Fortunately for fans of both teams, Louisiana-Lafayette will be playing In a Regional tournament closer to their stomping grounds In Baton Rouge, La. Both team's have been ranked In the Top Ten all season long and feature standout players such as Clemson's Khalil Greene a Golden Spikes Award finalist, and USC's Yaron Peters the 2002 SEC Player of the Year. One thing each squad won't have will be excuses, if they are unsuccessful In a bid for Omaha and the College World Series.

VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE In different corners-Readers split on who'll win bout you heard the things this guy has been saying to the media about stomping on their children's testicles so they could feel his pain because that's the pain (Tyson) wakes up with everyday? Who in their right mind would or could fight this guy and win? Tyson has some real issues he needs to deal with, and I believe he doesn't respect any opponent he's fighting. Lennox Lewis is a good fighter, but I don't think he has the killer instinct that Mike Tyson has right now to keep his heavyweight titles. Tyson is going to destroy any and everything in his way, including Lewis. Robert McFadden Orangeburg Resident I think that Tyson-Lewis fight is just a sad attempt to try to find Lennox any competition in the heavyweight ranks. Lennox will win by disqualification by the fifth round.

Mike Tyson is way past his prime and his comeback is a joke for the sport. No matter how much he tries to repair his Image, he could never be the champion he once was in his early years. 'Iron Mike' no longer exists in the boxing world. Evander Holyfield proved that to be true in 1996 when he not once, but twice creamed Mike Tyson in the ring. Tyson will get in the ring, start losing, and pull another crazy act to throw the fight.

It's over Tyson. This is your last fight. Hang it up, the golden years are gone. Sports Writer Kendrlck Lewis can be reached by e-mail at Klewlstlmesanddemocrat.com or by office phone at 803-533-5530. that he's very deserving to be crowned as the world's best boxer.

It's over Iron Mike. Just come to Memphis on June 8, and take it like a man. It'll be over quicker than you think, buddy. Bill Hamilton SIDS.C. St.

University I think Tyson is a tenacious boxer and is on a mission to restore his title as the No.l heavyweight boxer in the world. Although Tyson has been through a lot of adversity and has done many irrational things in the past, his quest to restore his credibility I think makes him a fierce competitor in the world of boxing. I really think that Lennox Lewis is not as tough as everyone thinks he is in the ring. Lewis is a great fighter, but Tyson is an animal, and every boxer whether they admit it or not, fears this man. Tyson still packs a great punch, and his fearless ability and drive alone make him public enemy No.l.

If Tyson commits, he has a real solid chance of regaining his throne as the heavyweight champion of the world. At this point in his career (Tyson) can't be stopped, and Lennox Lewis is just a stepping stone on his way back to the top. By no means has Tyson been an altar boy, but he's been a great champion. Zakiyyah Stroman Science Teacher Orangeburg, District 5 I think Mikelyson will win the Tyson-Lewis because for one thing, who wants to get in the ring with a mad man such as Tyson? I mean have of the boxing world and prove that he's still that same champion from years ago. I'm not taking anything from Lennox Lewis, he's proven to be the world's best boxer, and its going to take a real champion to beat this guy.

But Mike Tyson is that champion that can finally return from the darkness and emerge as one of the greatest boxers ever to retain the world heavyweight titles. Thomas Everette Orangeburg Resident I think that the Tyson-Lewis bout will be a great fight with Lennox Lewis emerging once again as the heavyweight champion of the world. If anyone has followed boxing over the years since Tyson was released from prison and since he lost the title to Evander Holyfield In 1996, he hasn't been the same fighter. Mike Tyson is a good fighter and that's about it these days. Tyson's reign as a champion has come to a end.

He just doesn't have the killer instinct he once had in his prime. It's time for Tyson to sit down and quit bringing attention to himself as being a raging bull who's going to destroy Lewis. If the boxing world watches close enough, you never see Lennox Lewis causing a scene or making unkind gestures to the public, only Mike Tyson. Holyfield had his way with Tyson. Wwhat makes you think that Lewis won't do the same on June No matter how many scenes Mike Tyson may make, he could never be the 'Iron Mike' he was in his golden years as a champion.

Lennox Lewis has proven since becoming the champion By KENDRICK LEWIS Sports Writer The Times and Democrat's virtual roundtable reacts to the big news in the sports world. If you'd like to join the roundtable, let us know at or by sending your comments on any big story to the same address. Let us know a phone number for voice contact purposes. This week's question: Now that the biggest fight in boxing history is only ten days away, the big question lingers who do you think will win the great anticipated Tyson-Lewis bout? Shondra Abraham Interim Director of News, Communications S.C.State University I think the Tyson-Lewis fight will turn out to be one of the greatest fights in boxing history. Despite the boxing commission denying Tyson his license to box, you could probally have placed this fight anywhere and it would still be In the same category as an All vs.

Frazler. This Tyson-Lewis bout is a long anticipated fight that the world has been waiting to see who Is the real champion of boxing. Through all the adversity that Mike Tyson has been through In the past, he'll defeat Lennox Lewis and regain the heavyweight championship of the world. Mike Tyson was once considered one of the greatest boxers of all times and was loved by many until his run-in with the law. I think he really wants to return to being back on top Oglesby.